Cry for the Desert
# Cry for the Desert

Professional ratings :

| Review scores ||
| - | - |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |

Cry for the Desert is the eighth studio album by Christian singer-songwriter Twila Paris, released in 1990 by Star Song Records. The album is Paris' first time working with producer Brown Bannister, who is best known for producing Christian pop superstar Amy Grant's albums and recently produced the Christian rock group White Heart's 1989 album Freedom and features the band's rhythm section of guitarist Gordon Kennedy, bassist Tommy Sims and drummer Chris McHugh. Producer Bannister updated Paris' sound on Cry for the Desert to sound more contemporary pop while still incorporating her praise and worship music. Paris' song "How Beautiful" is now considered a modern day hymn and is used during Easter services during communion. The song is ranked in the Top 20 from CCM Magazine's 2006 book The 100 Greatest Songs in Christian Music. Paris was nominated in two categories at the 22nd GMA Dove Awards for Female Vocalist of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year. Cry for the Desert climbed up to number two on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart.

## Track listing

All songs written by Twila Paris.

* "Tributary" (instrumental) - 2:48
* "Nothing But Love" - 5:36
* "Cry for the Desert" - 5:09
* "He Is a Song" - 4:07
* "Undivided Heart" - 5:03
* "How Beautiful" - 4:29
* "I Will Wait" - 4:14
* "I See You Standing" - 3:57
* "This Thorn" - 4:47
* "Celebration/Kingdom of God" - 5:19
* "Fix Your Eyes" - 5:02

## Personnel

* Twila Paris - lead vocals (2-11), backing vocals (2,8), piano (11)
* Byron House - Fairlight (1, 7), celesta (6)
* Carl Marsh - Fairlight (tracks 1, 4), synthesizers (track 8)
* Robbie Buchanan - keyboards (2, 3, 5, 8)
* Shane Keister - keyboards (1, 2, 5, 6, 8), piano (4, 9)
* Blair Masters - Emulator III (2, 5)
* Gordon Kennedy - guitars (1-3, 5, 8)
* Jerry McPherson - guitars (2, 4, 5, 8, 11), guitar effect (1)
* Tom Hemby - guitar (9)
* Tommy Sims - bass guitar (1-5, 8)
* Chris McHugh - drums (1-5, 8, 10, 11), percussion (11)
* Charlie Peacock - guest vocals (11), keyboards (3, 10, 11)
* Brown Bannister - guest vocals (11)
* Chris Eaton - backing vocals (2, 3, 5, 8, 10)
* Chris Rodriguez - backing vocals (5, 8)

Children's choir on "Cry for the Desert"

* Abigail Watkins
* Alicia Keaggy
* Aubree Harris
* Benjamin Bannister
* Chelsea Harris
* Ellie Bannister
* Eric Volz
* Michelle McDowell
* Sam Ashworth

Nashville String Machine

* Carl Gorodetzky - contractor
* Ronn Huff - woodwind and string arrangements
* Jim Laseen - bassoon
* Lee Levine - clarinet
* Ann Richards - flute
* Bobby Taylor - oboe
* Tom McAninch - horn

## Production

* Brown Bannister - producer, overdubs
* Darrell A. Harris - executive producer
* Richard Headen - production coordinator
* Bill Deaton - additional overdubs
* Brent King - orchestra recording
* Steve Bishir - assistant engineer
* Byron House - assistant engineer
* Carry Summer - assistant engineer
* Jeff Balding - mixing at Image Recording, Hollywood, California
* Doug Sax - mastering at The Mastering Lab, Hollywood, California
* The Bennett House, Franklin, Tennessee - recording location
* The Castle, Franklin, Tennessee - recording location
* Omni Sound Recording Studios, Nashville, Tennessee - recording location
* Digital Recorders, Nashville, Tennessee - recording location
* Groudstar Laboratories, Nashville, Tennessee - recording location
* Sixteen Avenue Sound, Nashville, Tennessee - recording location
* Toni Thigpen - art direction
* Marlene Cohen - design
* Peter Darley Miller - photography

## Charts

| Chart (1990) | Peak position |
| - | - |
| US Top Christian Albums (Billboard) | 2 |

### Radio singles

| Year | Single | Peak positions | Peak positions |
| - | - | - | - |
| Year | Single | CCM AC | CCM CHR |
| 1990 | "I See You Standing" | 1 | 8 |
| 1990 | "How Beautiful" | 6 | — |
| 1991 | "Cry for the Desert" | 7 | 9 |
| 1991 | "Nothing But Love" | 1 | 8 |
| 1991 | "Undivided Heart" | 7 | 12 |
